Mr. Roger Dale Hulsey, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.  Mr. Hulsey was a resident of Athens, Tennessee, and at the time of his passing, he was undergoing medical therapy and treatment for Parkinson's disease at Monroe Health & Rehabilitation in Madisonville, Tennessee.

Born in Pickens County, Georgia, on November 15, 1946, Mr. Hulsey was adopted by Claude and Mamie Hulsey after his birthmother (the couple's daughter, Faye) passed away only four days after his birth. This adoption not only gifted Mr. Hulsey parents—he instantly gained a total of 14 brothers and sisters.

Following his school years, Mr. Hulsey served in the United States Army from February 1966 until February 1968. During this time of active service, Mr. Hulsey was stationed in Vietnam and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Stars) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Upon returning to civilian life, Mr. Hulsey began a long career in the construction industry. For almost five decades, Mr. Hulsey worked on numerous residential and commercial construction projects, culminating with a project that he truly treasured, the construction of New Covenant Bibleway Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

After retiring, Mr. Hulsey eventually moved to Tennessee and in his final years before Parkinson's slowed his activities, he served the local community by delivering medicine and medical supplies to homebound individuals.

Mr. Hulsey is preceded in death by his birthmother, adoptive parents, siblings Orene Hulsey Marosi, Peggy Hulsey Teems, Faye Hulsey Payne, Charles (Duck) Hulsey, Gene Hulsey, James Payne, Clay Hulsey (infant), Bill Payne, Ed Payne, and Gene Payne. Survivors include wife Donna Fuller Hulsey of Athens, Tennessee; daughters Christina (Danny) Jones of Cumming, Georgia, and Jo (Bobby Dennis) Goss of Yulee, Florida; son Brian Hulsey of Greensboro, Georgia; grandsons Gregory Jones of Somerville, Massachusetts, and Jacob Hammock of Louisville, Kentucky; sisters Marie Sanchez, Gina Jones and Penny Turner; and brother Herman Payne.

The family will receive friends at Bernhardt Funeral Home, 163 River Street, Ellijay, Georgia, from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of services. Funeral services will be held in the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Rev. Travis Bridgeman will officiate, and serving as pallbearers will be Brian Hulsey, Danny Jones, Bobby Dennis, Gregory Jones, Jacob Hammock, and Eric Darnell. Interment will follow in the Whitestone Baptist Church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Parkinson's Foundation are encouraged. Donations may be made at www.parkinson.org or by calling (800) 473-4636.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.